Hong Kong has unveiled a five-year economic plan aimed at strengthening its role as an international financial, maritime, and trade centre while expanding its position as an innovation and technology hub and a centre for high-calibre talent.
Chief Executive John Lee announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for 2026-2030 alongside his fifth Policy Address on Sept. 16.
The plan is intended to provide a medium- to long-term framework for economic development and align the city more closely with China’s national development strategy.
The plan focuses on what the government calls “Four Centres and One Hub”: international financial, maritime and trade centres, an international aviation hub, an international innovation and technology centre, and an international hub for high-calibre talent.
“We will consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre, and stay committed to our global positioning,” Lee said.
The financial strategy includes deepening Hong Kong’s offshore renminbi business and capital markets, developing an international asset, and wealth management centre and international risk management centre, and expanding securities, fixed-income, and commodity trading.
Hong Kong will also build a commodity trading ecosystem with gold as an entry point. The government plans to develop infrastructure for gold clearing, storage and supply, while increasing gold storage capacity and refining capabilities.
A central clearing and settlement system for gold is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2027, according to the government’s policy programme.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing will also announce details this year of new renminbi-denominated and physically settled gold futures contracts.
Christopher Hui, Hong Kong’s secretary for financial services and the treasury, said the plan represented a shift towards longer-term financial planning.
“Each of our initiatives centres around one objective, which is to elevate Hong Kong from a ‘corridor of capital’ to a ‘destination of choice’,” Hui said.
The government said Hong Kong became the world’s largest cross-border wealth management centre this year and would continue building its asset and wealth management ecosystem.
For international trade, Hong Kong ranked as the world’s fifth-largest merchandise trading entity in 2025, according to the government.
It plans to expand its international economic and trade network, pursue free trade and investment agreements and strengthen overseas offices to promote trade and investment.
A government task force established last year to support mainland Chinese companies expanding overseas has assisted more than 340 enterprises with activities including Hong Kong listings and fundraising, compliance requirements, industry certifications, and alignment with overseas standards, the government said.
The maritime sector is another focus. Hong Kong, which has ranked fourth globally in maritime comprehensive strength for seven consecutive years, plans to move from a “volume to value” model for the Hong Kong Port by expanding high-value maritime services.
The strategy includes developing “Finance + Shipping”, drawing on Hong Kong’s maritime finance, insurance, and maritime arbitration capabilities.
In aviation, the government said passenger throughput increased 15% last year to 61 million, with flights connecting Hong Kong to more than 220 destinations.
Air cargo throughput reached 5.07 million tonnes, making Hong Kong International Airport the world’s busiest cargo airport for the 15th consecutive year since 2010.
Hong Kong plans to expand its aviation network and pursue new air services agreements and traffic rights, including with markets in South America, Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus.
Technology is also central to the plan, with the government seeking to expand artificial intelligence applications across industries while balancing innovation with security considerations.
It will focus on life and health sciences, AI and robotics, microelectronics, new energy, advanced manufacturing, and new materials, in line with China’s strategic technology priorities.
The government aims to raise total domestic expenditure on innovation activities to 3% of gross domestic product after 2030.
The plan also calls for broader financial-market access and greater cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries, the Global South and other emerging economies in trade, finance and infrastructure.
The government described the five-year plan as a strategic and directional document, with annual Policy Addresses and budgets intended to translate its longer-term objectives into specific measures, and spending priorities.